Nolan makes first appearance as young Spireites are held by Buxton

Graham Smyth

New signing Jon Nolan got his first taste of action in Chesterfield colours, as a Spireites second string were held to a goalless draw by non-league Buxton.

The Northern Premier League side presented a stiff test for a Chesterfield outfit comprised mostly of youngsters.

Of the team who started, only Dion Donohue, Reece Mitchell and Kristian Dennis could hold any real hope of featuring when the season starts next weekend.

There was experience in the side, in the form of player-coach Ritchie Humphreys.

The veteran came up against a Buxton midfield held together by another two with plenty of miles on the clock, former Spireite Derek Niven and ex Doncaster man Ricky Ravenhill.

Most of the game’s best action came in the first half.

A well drilled Buxton side put their visitors under pressure early on with a couple of dangerous low balls into the box.

Curtis Morrison could have put Chesterfield ahead when he ran onto Humphreys’ long ball, cut in from the right and shot low but tamely at Jan Budtz.

But there was an even better opportunity for Brad Grayson, the Bucks striker somehow failing to convert with the ball at his feet a couple of yards out, Lloyd Allinson gratefully pouncing on the ball.

The game settled down for a period, neither side playing anything particularly cohesive, but there was a half chance for Town, Laurence Maguire heading well over from a Humphreys’ free-kick.

Buxton’s best spell of possession in the half saw Ravenhill pulling the strings before the ball went wide and then back into the middle, Grayson with time and space and only Allinson in front of him, the stopper saving with his feet.

As the first half drew to a close the two sides traded decent chances, Fabrice Bembo-Leta slicing his wildly from near the penalty spot and at the other end Kristian Dennis fizzing a drive just past the post.

Nolan entered the fray at the start of the second half having recovered from a pre-season injury and was straight into action, sending a free-kick sailing over the bar.

Chesterfield were denied twice in quick succession by Budtz, the ex Doncaster Rovers keeper making a double save to keep out Mitchell and Dennis efforts.

A drab second half was briefly livened by two Humphreys efforts, one stabbed wide from the edge of the area, another – a cheeky chip – clearing Budtz and his crossbar, before the referee brought the stalemate to a close.